Author Carol "Pixie" Brearley's Blog

Welcome to my blog, here I plan to share news and information pertaining to my writing. Don't worry, I will not be bombarding you with daily posts or anything like that, just the occasional update. Stay tuned for more to come. :)

Work of Fiction

This blog contains some posts from a fictional character in a trilogy I am writing. She is not real and she is not based off a real person. Thank you.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Another year has come and gone, and I feel as if I have been seriously slacking. Truthfully, though, it's been a rough year. I've been in a lot of pain, which makes concentrating difficult. I did, however, finish a novel in November, Samael's Wish (50,570 words), which is now in the rewrite phase.

I have also run my first three novels, Rise of the Dark Angel, Dark Wings Spread, and Fall of the Darkness through a new editing program and will be re-publishing them over the next month or so. I also intend to release a compilation of all three books, as well as the short Evil Man, in print, soon so keep an eye out for that.

Then there is Midnight Town (53,056 words), although the first draft was done two years ago, is still in the rewrite phase. I'm having a really hard time with this one for some reason but hope to get it out this year. {fingers crossed}

Witch Way Now (76,197 words), which was originally going to be a trilogy, is looking more like a long novel. I just can't see it making it into three books, unless they are short and that's just not fair to the readers. I think I will pick back up on that after I finish Midnight Town and Samael's wish, though. It requires a lot of research and that takes a lot of time, which is why Midnight Town was on hold for so long.

I'm aiming for between 12-15K words for those, as they are shorts in the Bandages on the Soul series. Once they are all done, I will create a print compilation as well as the Kindle versions.So, as you can see, I have gotten a lot of words down, it's just a matter of finishing the strenuous rewrites and edits, and I can eventually get them out to all of you. Until then, I ask for patience.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Pennsic 2017 had it's ups and downs. I've been questioning whether or not I've wanted to return for the past couple years, and I still am. I spent several days in pain, first I damaged my knee on day 1, and the tote with my knee brace was forgotten home, luckily a camp mate had a brace I could use. After I was back on my feet from that, I aggravated an old back injury and was in severe pain for a couple days from that. Even after it was relatively better, I couldn't bend or lift the rest of war without pain, which made me reliant on others. Those of you that know me, know the stress of this for me.

On top of all that, it was a very emotionally draining event. The inability to do things for myself on top of some issues I was having with a couple of people there left me emotionally drained and ready to go home. This seems to be a trend the last few years, and it makes me question whether or not it is really worth the stress of prep and set-up, and the exhaustion of tear-down and the after-mass of cleaning once I get home.

On the bright side, our neighbors in Die Fledermaus were wonderful as always. They were there when I needed a smile, and one member in particular had a very infectious laugh that got me through some of my down times. At the end of Pennsic I received so much love from everyone over there, it reminded me why I go.

Another bright side is I got some editing done on Midnight Town as well as some reading of Infinite. I also started knitting a new basic shawl with light lacework. It is a super easy pattern which made working on it while sitting in my camp rocking chair relaxing. The yarn color is Gilda: Queen of the Sea and I picked it up at The Black Purl just for this purpose. It seems knitting shawls at Pennsic has become a tradition for me, and this particular yarn was perfect.

I made it up to the merchants four times (a record for me), and I bought a great Comfrey salve from a merchant called Pine Knoll Herb Shop that worked miracles on my bug bites. I also picked up the most amazing Peppermint Soap from them. From Brush Creek Wool Works, I picked up some amazing chocolate raspberry tea and some fun yarn for socks. I also made one big purchase. After being in the SCA since 1993, I finally got myself a real cloak. I'm talking heavy, water resistant and warm. I've been putting it off for a very long time (obviously) but there was a merchant that had one on sale for a price I couldn't pass up. So, after 24 years, I am the proud owner of a real cloak.

Now here I am, resting after washing five loads of garb/clothing, one load of my fleece blankets and two sleeping bags, oh and the feast gear (eating utensils). Now to finish one more sleeping bag and 2-3 loads of the bedding from the a-frame and I will be done, which is good because I lost steam a long time ago.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Greetings friends, as an author it is very difficult to figure out what to say on a blog during a dry spell, and well I am having quite a dry spell. It's not that I have not written anything, it's more of I can't seem to finish anything. I will get an idea and run with it for several days, and all of a sudden... Nothing. I even have a full-length, stand-alone novel complete, but I can't seem to get through the editing of it.

But it is now 2017 and I have decided to get things done, somehow.

In the meantime, what would you like to see from me during my dry spells? I tried a weekly blog of my favorite links for the week, but there seemed to be no interest so I let that one drop. I could post pictures of my critters? I have 4 cats, a dog, 4 mice and multiple fish tanks. Although you could see that by following my Instagram. I could post what's going on in my life, but as a self-proclaimed hermit, that might be boring. See why I am having a hard time figuring out how to entertain you? hehe

Friday, November 11, 2016

Another slower week for interesting sites, guess I've not been spending enough time on the Internet or something. hehe

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Well, here is a shop I came across on Etsy that has the cutest little faerie wings jewelry, Under the Ivy.

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Thanksgiving is coming up and I'm sure thoughts are starting to turn toward what to put on the menu. I'm thinking bacon wrapped cheddar and apple appetizers and possibly this stuffing. Caramelized Onion & Apple Stuffing just looks tasty!

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So, I'm sure not many of you know this but the red panda is one of my favorite critters because they are just so darned cute! YouTube has a video that just melts my heart and I want to share it with you.

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Well, that's it for this week. It's been a very stressful and enlightening one. Hope yours was better.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Another week's gone by. Some editing was done but in a bit of a rut. I just can't seem to concentrate. On the bright side, I'm making Crock Pot Apple Butter for the family and the house smells absolutely wonderful.

I used half the sugar called for, adding it after the apples cooked down so as to sweeten it to taste and it came out perfect!

Friday, October 28, 2016

So this has been a very slow week for good finds, perhaps you have something of interest to share? Here is what I did find...

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Spooky Halloween Village // Cardboard Craft
This is an absolutely adorable idea for those with smaller ones, and what a great way to use up all those old boxes you might have in your basement or attic. (Am I the only one that does that?)

I came across this in an email yesterday and it looks absolutely divine, perhaps some day I will pick some up and knit something soft and warm with it! If I do, I will be sure to share it with all of you.

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Finally, we have my absolutely favorite Jamberry Nail Wraps ever.What's This!? theme after one of my all-time favorite movies, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Normally I'm not a fan of super glitzy, but these are just so cute!

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Oh, so I made the Hawaiian Sticky Chicken with Pineapple from last weeks post and realized as I was making it I was missing the tomato paste. Still made it up but it was lacking a little flavor so might retry it at some point when I have some paste. Otherwise, it was good. :) Working on my Writers Wristies knitting project, halfway done with the pair using the correct needle, will share next week when they are done.